Ethylene decomposition on Pt(1 1 0) surface at 670-870 K was found to result in the formation of "chemisorbed" carbon. At T>870 K the other carbon state of sp(3) hybridisation was revealed by XPS and AES. This carbon state is rather inert towards both oxygen and hydrogen. We conclude it has diamond-like nature. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.